Machine for operating on sheet materials



Sept. 24, 1929. B. F. MAYO MACHINE FOR OPERATING 0N SHEET MATERIALS Original Filed March 23. 1920 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 m i A u i m r.

B. F. MAYO Sept. 24, 1929.

.MACHINE FOR OPERATING 6N SHEET MATERIALS 6 Shets-Sheet 2 Original Filed March 23. 1920 Sept. 24, 1929. a. F. MAYO 1,729,225

MACHINE FOR OPERATIENG, 0N SHEET MATERIALS I Original Filed March 25., 1920 6 Sheets-Shet 5 52%} a 56w v I Sept. 24, 1929. B. F. MAYO 1,729,225

MACHINE FOR OPERATING ON SHEET MATERIALS Original FiledMaroh 23. 1920 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Sept. 24, 1929. .5, MAYO 1,729,225

MACHINE FOR OPERATING ON SHEET MATERIALS Original Filed March 25. 1920 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Sept. 24, 1929. B. F. MAYO 1,729,225

MACHINE FOR OPERATING ON SHEET MATERIALS Original Filed March 23. 1920 6 sheets-sheet 6 Patented Sept. 24, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BENJAMIN F. MAYO, OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO UNITED SHOE MA- CHINERY CORPORATION, OF PATERSON, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY MACHINE FOR OPERATING ON SHEET MATERIALS Application. filed March 23, 1920, Se'rial No. 368,025.

The present invention relates to machines for operating on sections of sheet material and, more particularly, to machines for sewing a seam along the marginal portions of two sections of such material to attach the same together.

The invention is designed particularly to be embodied in machines for stitching together the two parts of the upper of a shoe.

In its broader aspects, however, the invention is not limited to use in this operation but it may be applied to machines for sewing to gether other articles. Certain features of the invention also are not limited to sewing machines but may be applied to machines for performing other operations on one or more sections of sheet material.

In sewing together two parts of a shoe upper it is important that the parts be accurately located in the proper relative positions before presentation to the sewing mechanism and that they be accurately guided with relation to the sewing mechanism during the formation of a seam. In the manufacture of shoes commercially the positioning of the parts of an upper in the proper relations and the guiding of the same with relation to the sewing mechanism during the sewing of a seam have been hand operations. The ac curate relative locating of the parts has taken relatively considerable time and required a great deal of care. The seams attaching the several parts of a shoe upper together have various curvatures and the accurate guiding of the parts with relation to the sewing mech anism has required the services of a skilled operator.

One of the principal objects of the present invention is to produce a machine upon which various parts of a shoe upper may be accurately assembled in proper relative positions and quickly and easily attached together by seams having various curvatures, as required by the character of the parts being sewn, without the exercise of any particular skill or care.

WVith this and other objects in View, the invention comprises various novel and improved features, constructions and combinations of parts hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the advan- Renewed February 15, 152a.

tages of which will be readily understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art.

In the present embodiment of the invention the machine is provided with a series of work carriers which are movably supported on a suitable work table and are moved in succession through the machine, thus giving the machine a comparatively large productive capacity. Each of the carriers is located in a predetermined position when the work is applied thereto, is moved from such position automatically to carry the same past the sewing mechanism and, after the completion of the sewing operation, is moved automatically back to work receiving position. During the sewing operation each of the carriers is guided by a cam mechanism operating to impart certain angular movements to the carrier to give the scam the required curvature, which mechanism embodies certain important features. In its illustrated form this mechanism comprises a pair of pins mounted on each of the carriers and a cam groove formed in a fixed member and engaged by said pins.

The various features of the invention will be clearly understood from the accompanying drawings illustrating the invention in its preferred form and the following detailed description of the constructions therein shown.

In the drawings F igure 1 is a view in front elevation of a machine embodying the invention; Fig. 2 is a view in horizontal section of a portion of the machine; Fig. 3 is a view in side elevation of a portion of the machine looking from the left; Fig. 4 is a view in vertical section of a portion of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a detail view in vertical section taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a detail view in side elevation, looking from the left, and illustrating the thread severing mechanism and certain associated parts; Fig. 7 is a view in side elevation, looking from the right, of the mechanism shown in Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a view in front elevation illustrating certain of the parts shown in Figs. 6 and 7,- Fig. 9 is an under-side plan view of certain parts of the machine; Fig. 10 is an under-side plan view illustrating particularly the thread-severing mechanism; Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. illustrating certain of the parts in different positions; Figs. 12 and 13 are detail views illustrating respectively different parts of the mechanism shown in Figs. 10 and 11 detached from the machine; Fig. 14 is a detail detached view in perspective of certain parts shown in Figs. 1. and 3; Fig. 15 is a detail plan View illustrating the mechanism for controlling the driving means for the sewing mechanism; Fig. 16 is a view in side elevation of a portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. 15; Fig. 17 is a top-side plan view of the work carrier with the work therein; Fig. 18 is an under-side plan view of the carrier and work; and Fig. 19 is a view in side elevation of the work carrier.

The machine illustrated in the drawings is especially designed to be employed in sewing a seam along the back edges of the two parts of an upper generally known as the quarters to attach the same together. By making certain relatively slight changes, however, the machine may be fitted for sewing other scams.

The sewing mechanism of the present machine has substantially the same construction, arrangement and mode ofoperation of parts as the sewing mechanism of the machine illustrated and described in applicants Patent No. 1,569,232, granted January 2, 1926, except that thefeed foot cooperating with the feed dog is eliminated.

The sewing mechanism of the machine is of well-known construction and comprises a vertically reciprocating straight-eyed needle 2 and a presser foot l. The machine is also provided with a work supporting table or plate 6 and with an over-hanging arm 8 formed with bearings in which the needle bar and presser bar slide.

The needle 2 is secured to the lower end of a needle bar 10 mounted to slide vertically in bearings formed on the over-hanging arm 8. The needle bar is reeiprocated by means of a lever 12 pivoted at 1% on the over-hanging arm 8 and connected to the needle bar by means of a link 16. The lever 12 is aetu ated from an eccentric 18 mounted on the main shaft 20 of the sewing mechanism through an eccentric rod 22.

The presser foot is secured to the lower end of a presser bar 24: mounted to slide vertically in bearings also formed on the overhanging arm 8 and is constantly pressed yieldingly into engagement with the work by means of a leaf spring 26 engaging a stud projecting from a block secured to the presser bar.

At the sewing point the work is fed by the action of a feed dog 27 which has the usual mode of operation and is actuated from the shaft 20.

The main shaft 20 of the sewing mechanism is driven by means of a pulley 28 (see Figs. 1 and 15) loosely mounted on the shaft and a belt 30 passing about the pulley and about a pulley 32 secured to a driving shaft 34. The shaft 3 1 carries fast and loose pulleys 36 and 38 and is driven from a suitable power shaft by a belt 10 which is shifted by means of a belt shifter 42.

To enable the main shaft 20 of the sewing mechanism to be started and stopped at suitable times, a friction clutch is provided for connecting the pulley 28 with the shaft. The driving member of the clutch is indicated at 4% and is mounted on the pulley 28. The driven member of the clutch is indicated at 46 and is mounted on the shaft 20 to rotate with the shaft but is movable longitudinally of the shaft into and out of engagement with the driving member of the clutch. The driven clutch member is acted upon by a coiled spring 48 which tends to force the same into engagement with the driving clutch member. The engagement of the members of the clutch is controlled by a lever 50 pivoted at 52 and carrying abutment screws 54 which engage a flange on the driven clutch member. The clutch lever 50 is actuated to control the engagement of the clutch by means of a lever 56 pivoted at 58, and a link 60 connecting the lever 56 with the clutch lever 50. The right hand arm of the lever 56 and the link 60 thus form a toggle controlling the clutch lever 50. This toggle is maintained in a straightened condition as shown in Fig. 15 to hold the clutch out of engagement by means of a coiled spring 62. Before the parts of the upper are presented to the sewing mechanism the left hand arm of the lever 56 is swung rearwardly to actuate the toggle to cause the engagement of the clutch.

This movement of the lever 56 is produced by means of an actuating lever 64 (see Figs. 1, 15 and 16) mounted to slide and swing on a fixed fulcrum pin 66 engaging in a slot in the lever. The lower arm of the lever 6& extends downwardly in front of the lever 56 as shown in Fig. 1, and the upper arm thereof surrounds an eccentric 68 mounted on a continuously rotating countershaft 70. The eccentric 68 is normally stationary but is arranged to be driven at intervals through a single revolution by means of a roll or Horton clutch. This clutch is of well known construction and comprises a driving memher 7 2 secured to the shaft 70, a driven memher 7% secured to the eccentric, a series of clutch rolls 76, a clutch controlling member 7 8, and a clutch engaging spring 80.

The engagement and disengagement of the clutch is controlled by means of a controlling lever 82 pivoted at 8 1 and carrying at its rear end a buffer spring 86 bent in a loop, and having its forward end arranged to engage a projection on the controlling member 78. The lever 82 is pivotally connected at its forward end with a vertically movable rod 88 engaging in a guide in an arm on the frame and the lever is normally held in position to hold the clutch out of operation by means of a coiled spring 89 which keeps the rod normally depressed. As the work is carried toward the sewing mechanism the rod 88 is elevated thereby actuating the lever 82 to release the clutch controlling member 78 and throw the roll clutch into operation. Before the roll clutch completes a single revolution the rod 88 is depressed by the action of the spring 89, thereby restoring the lever 82 to a position to throw out the clutch at the end of a revolution thereof. During the first half revolution of the eccentric the lever 64 is actuated to swing the left hand arm of the lever 56 rearwardly, thereby causing the e11- gagement of the clutch member 46 with the clutch member 44 to drive the main shaft 20 of the sewing mechanism. The left hand arm of the lever 56 is held in its rearward position during the sewing operation by the engagement of a spring actuated latch 90 pivoted on the lever 56 with a shoulder 92 formed on an arm on the frame of the machine. After the completion of the sewing operation the latch 90 is thrown out of engagement with the shoulder 92 and the lever 56 and link 60 are actuated by the spring 62 to cause the disengagement of the clutch member 46 from the clutch member 44.

in the present machine a series of work clamping carriers are provided, each carrier being constructed to hold two parts of an upper to be sewn together. Each of these carriers (see Figs. 17, 18 and 19) comprises a lower clamping plate 94 and an upper clamping plate 96 pivoted to the lower clamping plate by means of a pivot pin 98 and normally held by the force of gravity in closed relation to the lower clamping plate. To enable the parts of the upper to be readily and accurately located in the proper position with relation to each other and to the carrier, a pair of gage pins 102 for insertion in holes made at predetermined points in each of the parts of the upper to be sewn are mounted upon the lower clamping plate. The carriers illustrated in the drawing are especially constructed for use in sewing the parts of the upper of a shoe generally known as the quarters. When the quarters are in place between the two clamping plates with the pins 102 inserted in the holes in the parts and the upper clamping plate is closed, the rear margins of the quarters project uniformly beyond the clamping plates which conform to the curve of the quarters as clearly shown in Figs. 17 and 18.

The carriers of the present machine lie upon and are freely movable over the upper surface of-the work table 6 so that they may be arbitrarily guided to move in any desired path in the plane of the work. They are independently moved over the table to carry them in succession through the machine, the carriers being held on the table merely by the action of gravity. hen the work is ap plied to a carrier the carrier is located at the front of the machine in what will be termed for convenience work receiving position, the upper clamping plate then being open to re ceive the parts of the upper. After the work has been placed in a carrier, the carrier is moved from work receiving position past the sewing mechanism, guiding devices for the carrier causing the carrier to move in a predetermined path during the sewing operation. After a seam is completed the carrier is moved back in two stages to work receiving position, the upper clamping plate being opened to allow the removal of the work just before the carrier reaches this position. Upon the completion of each scam, the sewing mechanism is stopped and the carriers come to rest and remain stationary until the next operation.

The machine illustrated is provided with three work carriers which, when the machine is stopped after the completion of the sewing of a seam, occupy respectively the positions of the carriers A, B and C, shown in Fig. 2. The carrier A is illustrated in this figure in work receiving position, the carrier B in the position which each of the carriers assumes after a seam is completed through the parts of the upper carried thereby, and the carrier G in the position which each of the carriers assumes after the first stage in the bringing of the carrier back to work receiving position.

lVhen in work receiving position the earriers rest on the table (3, an extension being formed on the table to assist in supporting the carriers, and a pair of pins 106 mounted on the lower clamping plate are engaged in a guiding groove or slot 108 in said table. The upper clamping plate is then held in open position by the engagement of a cam plate 110 mounted on the lower end of a rod 112 secured in an arm on the frame with a projection 114 on the upper clamping plate. lVhen the parts of the upper have been placed in the carrier the carrier is released and is then moved from work receiving position toward the sewing mechanism by means of a radial projection or arm 116 formed on a rotary disk 118 and arranged to enga e one of the pins 106. The disk 118 is secured to the upper end of a shaft 122 engaging in a bearing in the hub of a continuously rotating gear wheel 124, and said disk engages and is driven frictionally at intervals from the gear wheel 124, the disk having a facing 126 of. leather or other suitable frictional material for contact with the gear wheel. The disk is held in yielding contact with the gear wheel by means of a coiled spring 128 acting on the shaft 122 (see Fig. 5). When a carrier has been moved into work receiving position the arm 116 is engaged with the pin 106 which occupies the rearward or left hand position in the guiding slot 108, and the carrier and the disk 118 are then held from movement by the engagement of the forward pin 106 with the upper end of a vertically movable rod mounted in suitable guides in the frame. The lower end of the rod 130 has a pin and slot connection with a lever 132 pivoted at 134, the forwardly extending arm of which is normally held in elevated position by a coiled spring 136. then the two parts of the upper have been placed in the work carrier, the operator depresses the forward end of the lever 1232, thereby disengaging the upper end of the rod 130 from the forward pin 106. firs the carrier is thus released the disk 118 starts to rotate and the carrier is moved from work receiving position toward the stitch forming mechanism by the action of the arm 1.16. The initial moven'ient of the carrier from work receiving position carries the projection 114% out of engagement with the cam plate 110 and the upper clamping plate is then closed on the work by the action of gravity.

The carrier is guided during its movement from work receiving position toward the sewing mechanism by the engagement of the pins 106 in the guide slot 108. The movement of the carrier produced by the disk 118 carries the carrier over a sectional belt 123imounted on shafts 138 and 139 which feeds the carrier through its frictional engagement with the lower clamping plate. The guiding groove 108 terminates some distance forwardly of the sewing mechanism so that the pins .106 are disengaged therefrom before the seam is started. During the se\ *ing of the seam the carrier is guided by the engagement of pins 1-10 and 1 12 mounted on the upper clamping plate in cam grooves formed in a block 144 secured to the frame of the machine. In the illustrated construction the block 14. 4

formed at its forward end with two separated grooves 141-6 and 1&8 which merge into a single groove 150. The pin 142 enters the groove M8 while the pin 1 10 enters the groove 1-16, and as the carrier continues its rearward movements both pins pass into the groove 150. The guide grooves 146, 148 and 150 in the block 141 as illustrated are so construc'ed that the proper angular movements are im parted to the work carrier to cause the needle to operate along a line substantially parallel with the reverscly curved back edges of the quarters secured in the carrier, an angular mm ement first in one direction and then in the opposite direction being imparted to the carrier during the sewing operation. As the pins and 142 are entering the grooves in the block 14 1 the portion of the carrier which is at the left is steadied by the engagement of a leaf spring 152 with the pins 106.

As the carrier approaches the sewing mechanism the rod 88 is lifted to throw in the roll clutch and cause the actuation of the lever 56 to engage the driving clutch for the main shaft of the sewing mechanism by means of a block 151 mounted on the carrier and having an inclined upper surface which engages a roll 153 carried at the lower end of the rod. The lever 56 is held in position during the sewing operation by the engagement of the latch 90 with the shoulder 92. During the sewing operation the work is fed by the action of the feed dog 27 and the carrier is advanced by the action of the feed belt 137 and by the action of feed rolls 15% and 156 which are mounted below the table 6 and project slightly above the table to engage frictionally the lower clamping plate. When the seam has been completed, the latch 90 is disengaged from the shoulder 92 allowing the parts to be actuated by the spring 62 to disengage the driving clutch for the main shaft of the sewring nzeclmnirnn. he latch 90 is disengaged from the shoulder 92 at this point in the opration by the er' z'igement of a pin 158 carried by the upper clan'iping plate of the can i the rear end f the latch. sewing mrchanism is preferably with the needle in the work adjz'icent edge of the (piarters, as shown in id the part of the work carrierwhich is then at the left continues to be advanred by the feed rolls 154! and 156 thereby swinging the carrier about the needle as a fulcrum into substantially the position of the carrier B, as mown in Fig. 2, so that when 1' rier finally comes to rest it will be out of the way of the succeeding carrier. To permit this increment of the carrier the rear portion of the right hand wall of the groove is formed on a lever 160 pivoted at 161 on the block Lil-l. its the left hand arm of the lever 56 is swung forwardly upon stopping the sewin mcchanisnn the lever 160 lifted to disengage this part of the wall of the cam groove 150 from the pins H0 and 142 by the engagement of the lever :36 with the lower inclined face of a projection 162 on the lever 160.

The cam block llel is mounted in the machine so that it may be adjusted in a direction transverse to the line of feed of the work past the sewing mechanism to locate the seam at different dis ances from the edges of the work which is being sewn. To this end the cam block is secured to a block 163 mounted on a bracket 16L on the frame for sliding adjustment in a direction transverse to the line of feed. The slide block may be adjusted to adjust the cam block by means of an adjusting screw 165.

As the sewing mechanism is started, the carrier containing the parts of an upper upon which the sewing operation has just been completed and which then occupies the posiranged to receive and direct the pins.

tion of the carrier B, Fig. 2, is released by the disengagement of the needle from the material, and the thread between the work carried respectively by this carrier and the succeeding carrier is severed by a thread severing mechanism. The latter carrier is then fed rearwardly first by the action of feed roll 156 and then by the action of feed rolls 166 mounted below the table 6 and projecting upwardly through slots in the table so as to engage frictionally the lower clamping plate, similarly arranged anti-friction rolls 168 and 170 being provided to enable the carrier to be fed readily. This brings the latter carrier into substantially the position of the carrier C, F ig. 2, the carrier stopping at this point because of the fact that it is carried out of the range of action of the feed rolls 166.

During the movement of a carrier from the position of the carrier A to the position of the carrier B, and the movement of another carrier from the position of the carrier B to the position of the carrier C, the third carrier, which occupied the position of the carrier 0, is carried forwardly into work receiving position. This movement of the third carrier is produced by means of a reciprocatory swinging arm 172 mounted on a rotary disk 174 and carrying a pivoted dog 17 6 arranged to engage a pin 177 on said carrier. The disk 174 is pivoted on the lower end of a shaft 17 8 and is rotated first in one direction and then in the other through substantially half a revolution. lVhen a carrier ,stops in the position of the carrier C, Fig. 2, the arm 172 occupies a position extending rearwardly from the center of the disk 174, with the dog 176 behind the pin 177 on the carrier, as shown in dot and dash lines in said figure. As the carrier which is then in work receiving position is released and moved toward the sewing mechanism, the arm 172 is swung through half a revolution in a counter-cloclnvise direction, Fig. 2, and then is swung back to its initial position. During the first half revolution of the arm the third carrier is moved with the arm by the engagement of the dog 176 with the pin 177, the pivotal movement of the dog being limited by its engagement with the arm. During the initial movement of the carrier from the position C the pins 106 are carried into the guiding slot 108, the rear end of the slot having a flaring entrance or mouth ar- The slot. thus guides the carrier as it is moved by the arm 172 back to work receiving position.

As the carrier approacl es work receiving position, the upper clampin plate 96 is swung upwardly by the engagement of the cam plate 110 with the projection 114. The movement of the disk 118 is timed relatively to the arm 17 2 so that as, or substantially as. the carrier reaches work receiving position the arm 116 engages the left hand pin 106. The movement of the carrier is stopped by the engagement of the right handpin 106 with the rod 130 which is then in elevated position, the lever 182 being released at once after its actuation by the operator.

The disk 174 engages and is driven frictionally from a disk 180 secured to the shaft 178, the disk 17 4 having a. facing 182 of leather or other suitable frictional material for engagement with the disk 180. The disk 174 is acted upon by a coiled spring 183 which holds the same yieldingly in contact with the disk 180.

The shaft 17 8 is arranged to be driven alternately in opposite directions and to this end said shaft carries a clutch member 184 (see Fig. 4) fixed to rotate therewith but slidable longitudinally thereof, and having oppositely facing clutch teeth at its upper and lower ends for engagement respectively with clutch member 186 and 188 secured to bevel gears 190 and 192 mounted to rotate coaxially with the shaft 178. The gear 190 is continuously driven in the direction of the arrow a, Fig. 3, and the bevel gear 192 is driven in the opposite direction from the gear 190 through an intermediate gear 196. The clutch member 184 is shifted into engagement alternately with the clutch members 186 and 188 by the vertical movement of a rod 198 passing longitudinally through the shaft 178 and having the clutch member 184 pinned thereto. To the upper end of the rod 198 is secured a yoke 200 which is pivotally connected by a pin 202 with a block 204 secured to the inner end of a rock shaft 206 (see Figs. 1, 3 and 14). To the outer end of the rock shaft is secured a block 208 having a slot 210 in which engages a pin 212 carried by a yoke formed at the upper end of a rod 214 mounted to slide longitudinally in a lever 216 pivoted at 218 on the frame. The rod 214 is acted upon by a coiled spring 220 which tends to move the rod downwardly in the lever 216.

lVhen the sewing mechanism is stopped and the carriers are at rest the lever 216 occupies the angular position shown in Fig. 1 with the pin 212 located in the left hand end of the slot 210 and the spring 220 acting on the rod 214 through the connections described will maintain the rod 198 in depressed position and the clutch member 184 engaged with the clutch member 188. The disk 180 will then be driven in the direction of the arrow 6, Fig. 3, and will tend to turn the disk 174 and the arm 172 in the same direction or in a clockwise direction, Fig. 2. The arm 172, however, is then held from turning movement by the engagement of a projection on the arm with a stop 222 on the frame (see Fig. 9).

As the forward end of the lever 132 is depressed to release a carrier from work receiving position, the rear end of the lever engages the lower end of the rod 198, thereby elevating the rod against the action of the downwardly from its left to its right hand end to such a degree that the action of the spring 220 will carry the pin 212 into the lower end of the slot, and the spring 220 will then act to maintain the clutch member 184 in engagement with the clutch member 186.

The lever 216 will thus be swung in a direction to carry the lower end thereof to the left, Fig. 1. WVhen the carrier has been brought to, or substantially to, work receiving posi tion, the arm 17 2 engages a lateral projection on the lower end of the lever 216 and swings the lower end of the lever to the right. During this movement of the lever 216 the pin 212 will be carried to the left in the slot- 210 past the center of the rock shaft 206, and the spring 220 will then depress the rod 214 and swing the block 208, the rock shaft- 206, and the block 204 to depress the shaft 198, and thereby shift the clutch member 184 out of engagement with the clutch member 186 and into engagement with the clutch member 188. In order to retard slightly the action of the spring 220 and produce a quick shift of the clutch member 184, a pin 224 is mounted in the block 204 and is arranged to engage a V- shaped detent formed at the end of a leaf spring 226 secured to the frame. The direction of rotation of the disk 180 will. thus be automatically reversed and the disk 174 and the arm 17 2 will be turned back in a clockwise direction Fig. 2, until the movement of the arm is arrested by the stop 222.

After a carrier starts to move from the position of the carrier B away from the sewing mechanism and after a seam is started in the parts of an upper secured in the succeeding carrier, the thread extending between these parts and the parts secured in the pre ceding carrier is severed automatically. The mechanism for severing the thread (see Figs. 8 to 13, inclusive) comprises a. lever 228 secured to one end of a rock shaft 280 and a thread cutting knife 232 mounted on the lever. The rock shaft 230 is mounted to turn in a bearing in a support 234 secured to the lower end of a rod 236 (see Figs. 6 and 7), which is supported at its upper end to swing in any direction by a universal joint 238. The thread cutting knife is thus supported so that it may be moved forwardly and rearwardly and laterally of the machine. The rock shaft 230 is acted upon by a coiled spring 240 which tends to turn the shaft in a direction to retract the thread cutting knife. The rod 236 is acted upon by a coiled spring 242 which tends to swing the same and the thread cutting knife forwardly and toward the right, Fig. 1, and maintains the knife normally in the position shown in Fig. 10, the movement of the support 234 and the knife, under the action of the spring, being limited by the engagementof a pin 244 mounted on the support with a ledge 246 formed on a bracket 248 secured to the frame, and with a shoulder 247 located adjacent the forward end of said ledge.

As one carrier is carried away from the sewing mechanism after the completion of a seam and after a seam is started in the work carried by the succeeding carrier, the thread cutting knife is moved rearwardly with the carriers and to the left by the movement of the latter carrier into position to engage the thread between the two sets of upper parts carried by the respective carriers, and the knife lever 228 is then rapidly oscillated to cause the knife to sever the thread. The knife is moved rearwardly by the carriers at the proper time by the engagement of a pin 250 mounted on each of the carriers with a latch 252 pivoted at 254 on the support 234. During the rearward movement thus imparted to the support, the support is moved to the left by the engagement of the pin 244 with a switch cam 256 pivoted at 258 on the bracket he switch cam is normally held by a spring 259 in the inclined position shown in Figs. 10 and 11 with the free end thereof in engagement with the ledge 246. hen in this position as the support 234 is moved rearwardly, the pin 244 engages and is carried along the forward or outer face of the switch cam and the support is thereby moved to the left. This movement of the support carries the knife into the position shown in Fig. 11. As the pin 244 passes beyond the switch cam the spring 242 moves the support to the left and the latch 252 is then swung on its axis to disengage the same from the pin 250 by the engagement with the latch of a pin 260 secured in the bracket 248 (see Figs. 10 and 11) The spring 242 then moves the support 234 forwardly to its normal position, the switch 256 yielding and allowing the pin 244 to pass.

The knife lever 228 is actuated to oscillate the knife by means of a pin 262 formed on a bracket secured to the needle bar and engaging in a slot 264 in the knife lever. The knife lever, when the support- 284 is in its normal position, is located in the angular position shown in Fig. 1 and in full lines in Fig. 8, the slot 264 then lying substantially parallel with the direction of reciprocation of the pin 262. 'With the lever in this position, the pin 262 reciprocates idly in the slot 264. The movement of the support 234 to the left, however, causes the knife lever to assume a position in which the slot lies at an angle to the direction of movement of the pin 262 so that the lever is then oscillated by the reciprocation of the pin. Thus while the knife is carried rearwardly with the carriers by the movement of the carrier containing the work which is bein sewn, the knife lever is rapidly oscillated to cause the knife to sever the thread bet-ween this work and the work carried by the preceding carrier. The knife thus makes several cutting strokes at the same point in the thread and the severance of the same is practically insured.

The gear 124 is continuously driven by means of a spiral. gear 266 mounted on one end of a shaft 268 to the opposite end of which is secured a pulley 270. This pulley is connected by means of a belt 272 with a double pulley 274: mounted on the counter-shaft which, in turn, is connected by a belt 276 with a pulley 278 mounted on the driving shaft 34.

The feed belt 137 is driven from the shaft 268 through intermeshing gears 280 and 282 mounted respectively on the shaft 139 and on the shaft 268.

The feed wheel 15 i is mounted on a shaft 284; to which is secured a double gear 286 having teeth which mesh with a bevel gear 288 secured to one end of a shaft 290. To the opposite end of the shaft 290 is secured a spiral gear 292 which meshes with the gear 124.

The feed wheel 156 is rotatably mounted on a stud 294 secured in the frame and is driven by means of a driving belt 296 passing about a pulley secured to the shaft 28-1 and a pulley secured to the feed wheel.

The feed wheels 1.66 are mounted on a shaft 298 and are driven from the 286 which is provided with teeth meshing with a bevel gear 300 secured to the shaft 298.

The gear 190 is driven from the shaft 70 by means of intermeshing spiral gears 302 and 304 mounted respectively on the hub of said gear and on the shaft 70.

To enable seams of various curvatures to be sewn upon the present machine the cam block 14%, shown in the drawings, is detachably mounted on the machine and the machine is provided wih a series of corresponding cam blocks having respectively cam grooves formed therein of various curvatures, any one of which blocks may be substituted for the block 1 14. To enable the cam block 144 to be readily secured in place on the machine and removed therefrom, the cam block is fern ed with a dove-tailed rib or tenon 806 which engages in a corresponding groove in the slide block 163. The cam block is held in place on the slide block by means of a spring pressed locking pin 368 mounted in the slide block, the lower end of which engages in an opening in the cam block. Each of the cam blocks has a corresponding construction so that they may be applied inlerchangeably to the machine. In sewing different parts of an upper, carriers of different outline are required and variatlons are made in the relative location of certain of the elements mounted on the carriers. Also in sewing certain seams, the construction of the carrier required and the movement imparted thereto during an operation may necessitate the substitution of latches of somewhat diiierent shape for the latches 90 and in order that they may be operated by pins located at available points on the carrier. When certain parts are being sewn no pivotal movement about the needle of the carrier containing the work in which the seam has just been completed is required to place the carrier out of the way of the succeeding carrier. In this case a cam block having a guiding cam groove may be employed in which the rear end of the right hand wall of the groove is formed integral with the rest of the bloclc The carrier is thus held from pivotal movement after the completion of the sewing operation.

Having explained the nature and object of the invention, and having specifically 'described a machine embodying the various features of the invention in their preferred forms, what is claimed is:

1.. A machine for operating on sections of sheet material having, in combination, means for operating on the work, a series of movable carriers for such material each provided with means for determining the relative lateral position of a plurality of superposed sections of sheet material, means for moving the carriers in succession into work receiving position. means for moving the carriers in suceession from work receiving position past the operating means, and mechanism for guiding the carriers during their movement pastthe operating means to cause said means to follow a predetermined cu 'vilinear path along the face of the work.

2. A machine for operating on sections of sheet material having, in combination, means for operating on the work, a series of carriers movable in the plane of the work and each provided with means for embracing sections of such material and holding them in superposed relation, means for moving the carriers in succession into work receiving position, means for moving the carriers in succession irom work receiving position past the oi. means, means for guiding the carriers during their movement past the operatin; means to cause the operating means to follow a predetermined line along the face of the work, means for opening the carriers to receive the work as the carriers are moved into work receiving position, and for causing the carriers to close on the work as they are moved f irom work receiving position.

3. A machine for operating on sections of sheet material having, in combination, means for operating on the work, a series of movlill) able carriers each provided with opposed holding surfaces for receiving between them sections of such material, means for moving the carriers in succession into work receiving position, means for moving the carriers in succession from work receiving position to carry the same past the operating means, means for guiding the carriers during the operation to cause the operating means to follow a predetermined curvilinear line along the face of the work. and automatic means for opening the carriers and for causing the same to close on the work.

4. A machine for operating on sections of sheet material having, in combination, means for operating on the work, a movable carrier for such material, means for supporting and moving the carrier, a pair of pins mounted on the carrier, and a member having a guiding slot to receive the pins for guiding the carrier during its movement.

5. A machine for operating on sections of sheet material having, in combination, means for operating on the work, a work table, a carrier for such material supported on and movable over the table, a swinging arm arranged to engage an abutment on the carrier for moving the carrier, a cam and a member for engagement with the cam, one of which is fixed and the other of which is mounted on the carrier for guiding the carrier during the movement imparted thereto by said arm.

6. A machine for operating on sections of sheet material having, in combination, means for operating on the work, a movable carrier for such material, means for moving the carrier back to work receiving position after the completion of an operation on the work carried thereby, means for moving the carrier from Work receiving position past the operating means, pins mounted on the carrier, a cam slot to receive a pair of saidpins to guide the carrier during the operation on the work so as to cause the operating means to follow a predetermined line on the work, and a guiding slot to receive a pair of said pins to guide the carrier during at least a part of its movemont back to work receiving position.

7. A machine for operating on sections of sheet material having, in combination, means for operating on the Work, a series of movable carriers each provided with upper and lower clamping plates for holding such material, and automatically acting mechanism for moving the carriers in succession from work receiving position past the operating means in a predetermined curvilinear path to determine the lineo't operation along the work and for thereafter moving the carriers in succession back to work receiving position.

8. A machine for operating on sections of sheet material having, in combination, a series of movable carriers each provided with upper and lower clan'iping plates for holding such material, mechanism for moving the carriers in succession from work receiving position pastthe operating means, means for guiding the carriers during their movement past the operating means so as to cause said means to follow a predetermined curvilinear line on the work, means for moving the carriers in succession back into work receiving position, and mechanism for starting the operating means before the presentation of the work thereto, and for stopping the operating means after the completion of an operation.

9. A machine for operating on sections of sheet material having, in combination, means for operating on the work, a series of movable carriers each provided with upper and lower clamping plates for holding such material, mechanism for moving the carriers in succession from work receiving position past the operating means, means for guiding the carrlers during their movement past the operatmeans so as to cause said means to operate along a predetermined line on the Work, mechanism for moving the carriers in succession back to work receiving position, mechanism tor causing the closing of the carriers on the work as the carriers move from Work receiving position and for opening the carri the carriers are moved back to work rcc ing position, and mechanism for starting the operating means before the work is pre ented thereto and for stopping the operaiing means after the completion of an opera tion..

10. A machine for operating on sections of sheet n'iaterial having, in combination, means for operating on the work, a movable carrier provided with upper and lower clamping plates for holding such material, automatically acting mechanism for moving the carrier from work receiving position past the operating means so as to cause said means to operate along a predetermined line on the work and for thereafter moving the carrier back to work receiving position, and mechanism for starting the operating means before the work is presented thereto and for stopping the operating means after the completion of an operation.

11.. A machine for operating on sections oi? sheet material having, in combination, means for operating on the work, a movable carrier ior such material, a swinging arm for moving the carrier, a rotary actuating member. and a frictional driving connection between the actuating member and the arm for moving the arm from said member.

12. A machine tor operating on sections of sheet material, having, in combination, means for ope *ating on the work, a movable carrier {or such material, a swinging arm arranged l to engage an abutment on the carrier for movment on the carrier for moving the carrier from work receiving position, and means for ctuating the arms in timed relation to each other.

A machine for operating on sections of sheet material having, in combination, means for operating on the work, a movable carrier tor such material, a swinging arm arranged to engage an abutment on the carrier for moving the carrier from the position it assumes after the work leaves the operating means back to work receiving position, a second swinging arm arranged to engage an abutment on the carrier for moving the carriei from work receiving position, means for reversing automatically the movement of the first arm, and means for starting the movement of the second arm in timed relation to the first arm and tor stopping the movement of the latter arm with the same in position to actuate the carrier.

14. A machine for operating on sections of sheet material having, in combination, means for operating on the work, a w k table, a carrier provided with means tor retaining a plurality 0t sections of sheet material in superposed relation supported on and movable over the suri'ace ot the table, a swinging arm arranged to engage an abutment on the carrier to move the carrier over the table and to disengage the abutment during its return to initial position, and means for guiding the carrier during the movement imp art- 'ed thereto by said arm.

15. A machine for sewing together the parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, stitch forming mechanism, a carrier provided with means for determining the relative lateral positions of a plurality of parts of a shoe upper and for holding them in this relation, a support on which the carrier is mounted for free movement and arbitrary guidance in the plane of the work, and means for guiding the carrier to form a seam along a line substantially parallel with an edge or at least one of the parts. i

16. A machine for sewing together sections of sheet material having, in combination, stitch forming mechanism, a series of carriers movable in the plane of the work and each provided with means for supporting aplurality of sections or sheet material and retaining them in superposed relation, means for moving the carriers in succession into work receiving position, means for moving the carriers successively past the stitch forming mechanism, mechanism for guiding the carriers during their movement past the stitch forming mechanism to cause said mechanism to follow a predetermined curvilinear path along the tace of the work, and mechanism for severing the thread between the sections of material carried by successive carriers.

. 7. A machine for sewing together parts of a shoe upper having, in combination, stitch forming mechanism, a work table, a series of *arriers each provided with means for holding parts of shoe uppers in superposed rela tion and freely and inde iiendently movable in an orbital path over the table, and guiding devices for determining the path of travel of each carrier past the stitch forming mecha nism.

18. 1. machine tor sewing together sections of sheet material having, in combination, stitch forming mechanism, a work table, a :arrier provided with means tor holding superposed sections of sheet material and supporten on the table for free movement and arbitrary guidance in the plane of the work, means for moving the carrier from work receiving position into register with the stitch forming mechanism, feeding devices for determining the path of travel of the carrier past the stitch forming mechanism, and means for returning the carrier to work receiving position after the completion of the sewing.

19. A machine for operating on sections of sheet material having, in combination, means for operating on the work, a series o't carriers movable in the plane of the work and each pro *ided with means for supporting a plurality of sections of sheet material and retaining them in superposed relation, means for moving the carriers in succession into work receiving position, means for moving the carriers in succession from work receiving position past the operating means, 'and mechanism for guiding the carriers during their movement in the plane of the work past the operating means to cause said means to follow a pre-determined curvilinear line along the face or the work.

20, A machine for operating on sections of sheet material having, in combination, means for operating on the work, a series of carriers movable in the plane of the work and each provided with means tor embracing a plurality of sections of sheet material and retaining them in superposed relation, means for moving the carriers in succession into work receiving position, means for moving the carriers in succession from work receiving position past the operating means, means for guiding the carriers during their movement in the plane of the work past the operating means to cause the operating means to tollow a pro-determined curvilinear line along the face of the work, means for opening tl e carriers to receive the work when in work receiving position and for causing the carriers to close on the work when moved from work receiving position.

21. A machine for operating on sections of sheet material having, in combination, means for operating on the work, a series of movable carriers each provided with means for embracing a plurality of sections of sheet material and retaining them in superposed relation, means for moving the carriers in succession into work receiving position, means for moving the carriers in succession from work receiving position to carry the same past the operating means, means for guiding the carriers during the operation to cause the operating means to follow a pro-determined curvilinear path along the face of the work, and means for automatically opening the carriers and for causing the same to close on the work.

22. A machine for operating on sections of sheet material having, in combination, means for operating on the work, a series of movable carriers each provided with means for supporting a plurality of sections of sheet material and retaining them in superposed relation, mechanism for moving the carriers in succession from work receiving position past the operating means, means for guiding the carriers during their movement past the operating means to cause said means to tollow a pre-determined curvilinear line along the face of the work, means for moving the carriers in succession back into work receiving position, and mechanism for starting the operating means before the work is presented thereto and for stopping the operating means at the completion of the operation.

23. A machine for operating on sections of sheet material having, in combination, means for operating on the work, a series of movable carriers each provided with means for embracing a plurality of sections of sheet material and retaining them in superposed relation, mechanism for moving the carriers in succession from work receiving position past the operating means, means for guiding the carriers during their movement past the operating means to cause said means to operate along a pre-determined curvilinear path on the work, mechanism for returning the carriers in succession to work receiving position, mechanism for automatically opening the carriers and for causing them to close on the work, and mechanism for starting the operating means before the work is presented thereto and for stopping the operating means atter the completion of an operation.

24. A machine for sewing together sections of sheet material having, in combination, stitch forming mechanism, a series of carriers each provided with means for support- I ing a plurality of flat sections of sheet material and retaining them in superposed relation, means for moving the carriers in succession into work receiving position, means for moving the carriers in succession from work receiving position past the stitch forming mechanism, means for guiding the carriers during their movement past the stitch forming mechanism to cause said mechanism to follow a pie-determined curvilinear path along the face of the work, and mechanism.

for severing the thread between the sections of material carried by successive carriers.

25. A machine for operating on sections of sheet material having, in combination, means for operating on the work, a carrier provided with means for supporting a plurality of flat sections of sheet material and retaining them in superposed relation, means for moving the carrier in an orbital path from work receiving position into register with and past the operating means and back to work receiving position, and means for guiding the carrier during its movement past the operating means to cause said means to follow a pre-determined curvilinear path on the work.

26. A machine for operating on sections of sheet material having, in combination, means for operating on the work, a carrier provided with means for supporting a plurality of flat sections of sheet material and retaining them in superposed relation, means for moving the.

carrier in an orbital path in the plane of the work from work receiving position into register with and past the operating means and back to work receiving position, and means for causing the operating means to follow a pre-determined curvilinear path along the Work during the movement of the carrier past said means.

27. A machine for sewing together sections of sheet material having, in combination, stitch forming mechanism, a carrier provided with means for supporting a plurality of flat sections of sheet material and retaining them in superposed relation, means for moving the carrier in an orbital path from work receiving position into register with and past the stitch forming mechanism and back to work receiving position, and means for guiding the carrier during its movement past the stitch forming mechanism to cause such mechanism to follow a pre-determined curvilinear path along the work.

28. A. machine for operating on sections of sheet material having, in combination, means for operating on the' work, a series of unconnected carriers each provided with means for retaining a plurality of sections of sheet material in superposed relation, mechanism for moving the carriers in succession from work receiving position past the operating means, means for guiding the carriers during their movement past the operating means to cause said means to follow a curvilinear path along the work, and mechanism for returning the carriers in succession to work receiving posit-ion.

29. A machine for operating on sections of sheet material having, in combination, means for operating on the work, a work table, a carrier resting removably on and movable over the table, means for moving the carrier while resting on the table "From work receiving position past the operating means and back to work receiving position, and removable supported guiding means for causing the carrier to move in a curvilinear path past the operating means.

30. A machine for sewing together sections of sheet material having, in combination, stitch "forming mechanisn'i, a carri r provided with means for retaining a plurality of sections of sheet material in superposed relation, means tor moving the carrier in an orbital path. from work receiving position past the stitch forming mechanism and back to work receiving position, means for causing the stitch forming mechanism to follow a. predetermined curvilinear line on the work during its movement past said mechanism, and means for controlling the starting and stop ping of the stitch forming mechanism from the carrier.

31. A machine for sewing together sections of sheet material having, in combination, stitch torming mechanism, a series of carriers each provided with means for supporting a plurality of sections of sheet material and. retaining them in superposed relation, means for moving the carriers in succession into work receiving position, means for moving the carriers in succession from work receiving position past the stitch forming mechanism, means for guiding the carriers during their moven'ient past the stitch forming mechanism to cause said mechanism to follow a pre-determined curvilinear path on the work, and mechanism for severing the thread between the sections of material carried by successive carriers.

82. A machine for stitching together the parts oi? shoe uppers having, in com] ination, stitch forming mechanisms, a movable carrier provided with means for holding two parts of a shoe upoer in assembled relation, means for movin the carrier vith relation to th :itch forming mechanism to form a seam through the upper parts supported on the carrier along a curvilinear line substantially parallel with a curvilinear edge of at least ot the parts, and mechanism for sev ring the thread atter the completion of the sewing operation.

33. A machine for sewing together the parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, stitch forming mechanism, a movable carrier provided with means for holding two parts of a shoe upper in assembled relation, means for moving the carrier with relation to the stitch forming mechanism so as to form a seam through the two upper parts supported on the carrier along a curvili ar line substantia ly parallel with a eurvi edge of at least one of the parts, and mean for severing the thread between successive sets of parts.

3.1. A machine for sewing together the parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, stitch torn'iing mechanisi i, a carrier provided with. means for supporting and holding assembled parts of the shoe upper, means tor causing the carrier to travel in an orbital path in the plane of the work from work receiving position past the stitch forming mechanism and back to work receiving position, and means for guidim the carrier during the sewing to determine tne path of the stitching.

A machine for sewing together the parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, stitch forming mechanism, a series of unconnected carriers each provided with means for so porting and holding assemblec'i parts of the shoe upper, means for moving the carriers in succession from work receiving position past the stitch forming mechanism and back to w rk receiving position, and means for causing the stitch forming mechanism to sew a curvilinear seam.

A machine for sewing together the parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, stitch forming mechanism, a series of carriers each provided with means for supporting and holding the assembled parts of a shoe upper, means for supporting each carrier for free movement and arbitrary guidance in the plane oi the work, and means for guiding the carriers in an orbital path from work receiving position past the stitch forming mechanism and back to work receiving position, including means for guiding each carrier in a curvilinear path in the plane of the work during the sewing together of the parts carried thereby.

87. A machine for sewing together the parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, stitch forming mechanism, means for guiding in an orbital path from work receiving position past the stitch forming mechanism and back to wor I receiving position a series of unconnected freely movable and replaceable work carriers, said guiding means including a replaceable guide for determining the path of each carrier during the sewing togeth r of the parts carried thereby.

38. A machine for sewing together the parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, stitch forming mechanism, a series of work carriers each provided with means for relatively )ositioning the parts of a shoe upper laterally and for holding them in assembled relation, and means for causing the carrier to move in the plane or the work from work receiving position past the stitch forming ating' means and'back to work receiving position.

10. A machine for operating on sections of sheet material having, in combination, means for operating on the work, a carrier provided with means for supporting a plurality of flat sections of sheet material and retaining them in superposed relation, a support on which the carrier is mounted for free movement and arbitrary guidance in the plane of the work to present the Work to the operating means, and means for guiding the carrier during its movement past the operating means to cause said means to follow a predetermined curvi- 15 linear path on the work.

41. A machine for operating on sections of sheet material having, in combination, means for operating on the work, a carrier provided With means for supporting a plu- 3Q rality of flat sections of sheet material and retaining them in superposed relation, a support on which the carrier is mounted for free movement and arbitrary guidance in the plane of the work, devices "for feeding the carrier over the work support by frictional engagement therewith, and means for guiding the carrier during its movement over the work support to cause the operating means to follow a predetermined curvilinear path on the work.

42. A machine for operating on sections of sheet material having, in combination, means for operating on the work, a carrier provided with means for supporting a plurality of fiat sections of sheet material and retaining them in superposed relation, a support on which the carrier is mounted for free movement and arbitrary guidance in the plane of the work, devices for moving the carrier over the work 1 support by frictional engagement therewith, a cam and a. member for engagement with the cam, one of which is fixed and the other of which is mounted on the carrier for guiding the carrier during its movement over the work support to cause the operating means to follow a predetermined curvilinear path on the work.

BENJAMIN F. MAYO. 

